Union Talks Heat Up Firefighters Call County `Unfair`

At first, disability benefits, a fitness plan and wages were the essence of a contract dispute between Palm Beach County and its union firefighters.

Then, a few weeks ago, firefighters painted their personal car windshields with signs saying the county is unfair and then they cruised Interstate 95.

The five-month dispute this week turned nastier.

The union says a south-county battalion chief told firefighters to drive his county car to another fire station and put gas in it. They did, the union says, and while they were out, a more distant station had to respond when a fire call came in.

The county also is threatening to delay paychecks to union President Ronald Beesley, a qualified firefighter who draws a full county salary to run the union.

Harassment of union members ranges from serious to ridiculous, Beesley said. One captain, a union member, was written up because one of his firefighters did not shine his shoes.

County administrators deny the charges.

``None of this has to do with contract issues,`` Fire-Rescue Department Chief Herman Brice said. ``The union made a decision to rile people up.``

The latest charges show that slow-moving labor talks are turning bitter. Morale among the 550 union firefighters is described by both sides as low.

Firefighters are working under a contract that expired on Oct. 1. Last month, the county asked that a special master be chosen to help with negotiations. The process, specified under state law, leads to a recommended contract that county commissioners can accept or reject.

Meanwhile, talks between the union and a Miami attorney hired by the county continue. The county says progress is substantial. Brice said a wage agreement is near.

``If there is agreement on salary, I`d like to know what it is,`` Beesley said. The union says the county is not budging on key points: Disability, fitness, drug testing and management structure.

Starting firefighters receive $21,650 a year and put in 52-hour weeks. The county and union differ on what the average firefighter`s salary is. Brice put the figure at $28,000-$30,000; Beesley`s figure was $25,000.

Leaders from the union and administration agree that safety, to date, has not been compromised.

``Somehow, when the bell hits, we can do the job,`` Brice said.

The administration looked into union charges that an administrator told employees to put gas in his county car, he said.

Michael Southard, battalion chief who works at a west Delray Beach station, did have firefighters take his car to another fire station for gas because fuel levels at his station were low, Brice said.